Acceptable Corrective Measures for Vision Acuity Photo Refractive Procedures (All Classes)

The FAA allows most FDA (Food and Drug Administration) approved refractive procedures, including photorefractive keratectomy, LASIK, (laser in situ keratomileusis), photorefractive keratoplasty (Excimer Laser) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) for all classes of certification. Following satisfactory recovery from any refractive procedure, the FAA requests that a brief status report from your ophthalmologist be submitted to the Aeromedical Certification Division indicating complete healing without adverse side effects, and visual acuity that meets or exceeds the minimums for the class of medical privileges you're exercising.

Some ophthalmologists now recommend as a convenience to their patients that one eye be corrected for near vision and the other for distance. This results in a person having monocular vision for purposes of FAA medical regulations, since near and distance vision requirements cannot be met with each eye, separately, as required by FAR Part 67.103; .203; and .303.

This option is acceptable to the FAA; however, a six-month stabilization period is required after having the refractive procedure done during which time you must wear eyeglasses or contact lenses that allow you to meet the vision standard in each eye separately when you fly. When not flying, remove the corrective lenses so your eyes can adapt to the monovision correction. The stabilization period provides the time necessary to learn other visual cues that will reestablish depth perception, just as if you had lost the useful vision in one eye.

After the six-month stabilization period, the FAA will then issue a medical certificate with a corrective lens restriction that requires you to continue wearing corrective lenses while flying. In order to have this restriction removed, you should request the FAA Aerospace Medical Certification Division to issue an authorization for medical flight test with your local Flight Standards District Office (FSDO) inspector. Upon successful completion of the medical flight test, the FAA will then issue a Statement of Demonstrated Ability (SODA) that effectively removes the corrective lens requirement.

The use of monovision contact lenses (wearing one lens to correct for distance and one that corrects for near vision) to accomplish the same correction is not currently acceptable.

For other normal refractive procedures, when your ophthalmologist releases you to resume normal activities, and when your visual acuity meets the standard for the class of medical you hold, you may resume exercising privileges on your current medical certificate, in accordance with FAR §61.53.

A status report or eye evaluation (FAA Form 8500-7) should be completed by your eye care specialist and presented to the aviation medical examiner at the time of your next scheduled FAA medical examination. This report must verify complete healing, stabilization of visual acuity, and lack of significant residual effects that often accompany these types of surgical procedures, including night glare, vision haziness, or eye discomfort. Complete healing is usually accomplished in four to six weeks, but up to twelve months may be necessary in some cases. At the time of your next scheduled medical application, your aviation medical examiner may issue the certificate if you are found to be otherwise qualified.

Federal Aviation Administration
Aeromedical Certification Division
AAM-300
6700 South MacArthur Blvd.
Oklahoma City, OK 73169
Phone 405/954-4821, 800/350/5286